Joel 2 Fasting for those Far Away
BBC NOVEMBER 4, 2007 “FASTING FOR THOSE WHO ARE FAR AWAY “ JOEL 2:23-27
23 BE GLAD THEN, YOU CHILDREN OF ZION, AND REJOICE IN THE LORD YOUR GOD; FOR HE HAS GIVEN YOU THE FORMER RAIN FAITHFULLY, AND HE WILL CAUSE THE RAIN TO COME DOWN FOR YOU -- THE FORMER RAIN, AND THE LATTER RAIN IN THE FIRST MONTH. 24 THE THRESHING FLOORS SHALL BE FULL OF WHEAT, AND THE VATS SHALL OVERFLOW WITH NEW WINE AND OIL. 25 "SO I WILL RESTORE TO YOU THE YEARS THAT THE SWARMING LOCUST HAS EATEN, THE CRAWLING LOCUST, THE CONSUMING LOCUST, AND THE CHEWING LOCUST, MY GREAT ARMY WHICH I SENT AMONG YOU. 26 YOU SHALL EAT IN PLENTY AND BE SATISFIED, AND PRAISE THE NAME OF THE LORD YOUR GOD, WHO HAS DEALT WONDROUSLY WITH YOU; AND MY PEOPLE SHALL NEVER BE PUT TO SHAME. 27 THEN YOU SHALL KNOW THAT I AM IN THE MIDST OF ISRAEL: I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD AND THERE IS NO OTHER. MY PEOPLE SHALL NEVER BE PUT TO SHAME. 28 "
INTRO: IN 1928, A VERY INTERESTING CASE CAME BEFORE THE COURTS IN MASSACHUSETTS. IT CONCERNED A MAN WHO HAD BEEN WALKING ON A BOAT DOCK WHEN SUDDENLY HE TRIPPED OVER A ROPE AND FELL INTO THE COLD, DEEP WATER OF AN OCEAN BAY. HE CAME UP SPUTTERING AND YELLING FOR HELP AND THEN SANK AGAIN, OBVIOUSLY IN TROUBLE. HIS FRIENDS WERE TOO FAR AWAY TO GET TO HIM, BUT ONLY A FEW YARDS AWAY, ON ANOTHER DOCK, WAS A YOUNG MAN SPRAWLED ON A DECK CHAIR, SUNBATHING. THE DESPERATE MAN SHOUTED, "HELP, I CAN'T SWIM!" THE YOUNG MAN, AN EXCELLENT SWIMMER, ONLY TURNED HIS HEAD TO WATCH AS THE MAN FLOUNDERED IN THE WATER, SANK, CAME UP SPUTTERING IN TOTAL PANIC, AND THEN DISAPPEARED FOREVER.
THE FAMILY OF THE DROWNED MAN WAS SO UPSET BY THAT DISPLAY OF CALLOUS INDIFFERENCE THAT THEY SUED THE SUNBATHER. THEY LOST. THE COURT RELUCTANTLY RULED THAT THE MAN ON THE DOCK HAD NO LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY WHATEVER TO TRY AND SAVE THE OTHER MAN'S LIFE. IN EFFECT, THE LAW AGREES WITH CAIN'S PRESUPPOSITION: I AM NOT MY BROTHER'S KEEPER, AND I HAVE EVERY LEGAL RIGHT TO MIND MY OWN BUSINESS AND TO REFUSE TO BECOME INVOLVED.
WE FAST FOR THOSE WHO ARE FAR AWAY BECAUSE WE REFUSE TO BE UNINVOLVED. WE FAST AND PRAY BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
EXPL: IN THE TEXT...JOEL IS ONE OF THE MINOR PROPHETS, BUT HE HAS A MAJOR MESSAGE. THE MESSAGE FROM THE MASTER HAS TO DO WITH THE DAY OF THE LORD. JOEL WRITES ABOUT TWO ASPECTS OF ISRAEL;
THE CURRENT CONDITION OF ISRAEL
THE FUTURE CONDITION OF ISRAEL
PERIL - IN CHAPTER ONE THEY ARE FACED WITH DEVASTATION – DEVASTATION THAT IS TIED TO THEIR DISOVEDIENCE TO GOD. THEY ARE FACING DESTRUCTION FROM THE WORST LOCUST PLAGUE IN JUDAH’S HISTORY. LOCUST...GRASSHOPPER TYPE INSECTS THAT EAT EVERYTHING IN IT’S PATH. WE REMEMBER THE PLAGUE OF LOCUST FROM THE STORY OF MOSES. CH. 1 SAYS THE LOCUS WERE CHEWING, SWARMING, CRAWLING, HOPPOING AND CONSUMING EVERYTHING. THE LOCUST LEFT THE PEOPLE LOOKING FOR FOOD. HUNGER PAINS LEAD TO THE CRIES OF THE PEOPLE.
PROCLAMATION – V. 14 THEY DECLARED A FAST; THEY DRESSED IN SACKCLOTH, FASTED AND GATHERED AT THE TEMPLE WHERE BOTH MAN, WOMAN, AND BEAST CRIED OUT TO THE LORD.
THE PROPHECY – THE DAY OF THE LORD. JOEL USES THE PLAGUE OF THE LOCUST AS AN OBJECT LESSON OF FUTURE INVASION ...NOT LOCUST ..BUT A MIGHT ARMY OF BABYLON WHO WILL RAVAGE THE LAND. IN CHAPTER TWO – JOEL SAYS...
ALARM – V.1 AND V. 15.
ATTACK – RUIN V. 2-11
ADMONITION – REPENT V. 12-13
ASSURANCE – RESTORATION V. 18-21
THEN THE END OF CHAPTER TWO WE SEE THE ..DAY OF PENTECOST . V. 28-32.
AND THE INTO CHAPTER THREE WE SEE...THE DAY OF CHRIST 3:18-21.
PROP: TODAY CONDITIONS ARE A FORESHADOWING OF TOMORROWS CHAOS.
THUS WE FAST FOR THOSE WHO ARE FAR AWAY FROM GOD
INTER: WHAT IS OUR MINDSET AS WE FAST FOR THOSE WHO ARE FAR AWAY.
WE FAST AND PRAY THAT GOD IS ABLE TO MOVE ON THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE
MPI. REPENTANCE OF THE PEOPLE V. 11-14. 11 THE LORD GIVES VOICE BEFORE HIS ARMY, FOR HIS CAMP IS VERY GREAT; FOR STRONG IS THE ONE WHO EXECUTES HIS WORD. FOR THE DAY OF THE LORD IS GREAT AND VERY TERRIBLE; WHO CAN ENDURE IT? 12 " NOW, THEREFORE," SAYS THE LORD, "TURN TO ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH FASTING, WITH WEEPING, AND WITH MOURNING." 13 SO REND YOUR HEART, AND NOT YOUR GARMENTS; RETURN TO THE LORD YOUR GOD, FOR HE IS GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL, SLOW TO ANGER, AND OF GREAT KINDNESS; AND HE RELENTS FROM DOING HARM. 14 WHO KNOWS IF HE WILL TURN AND RELENT, AND LEAVE A BLESSING BEHIND HIM -- A GRAIN OFFERING AND A DRINK OFFERING FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD?
RETURN – COME BACK TO CHRIST; GO BACK TO GOD. IT’S AN IMPERATIVE, A COMMAND.
REND YOU HEART – COME BACK TOTALLY COMMITTED TO CHRIST.
IMP. GOD PUTS US IN POSITION TO “GET OUR ATTENTION”. WHEN GOD SHAKES THE HEAVENS AND EARTH...IT IS TO GET OUR ATTENTION, SO WE REPENT AND RETURN.
IMP. RIGHT NOT IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO RETURN TO GOD; WE LIVE IN AN AGE OF GRACE; RETURN WHILE YOU HAVE A CHANCE BECAUSE GOD IS MERCIFUL, AND GRACIOUS, AND PATIENT. HE DOES NOT SET US UP FOR THE FALL; AND IF WE CHANGE OUR MIND; RESET OUR MINDS AND FIX THEM ON GOD, NOT ONLY WILL HE KEEP US IN PERFECT PEACE BUT HE WILL CANCEL THE COMING CHAOS.
IMP. YOU TURN AND GOD TURNS; GOD TAKES US FROM WRATH TO RIGHTEOUSNESS.
APP: WE FAST AND PRAY THAT PEOPLE, REPENT. THAT THEY TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS AND TURN TOWARD GOD. AND WHEN THE PEOPLE FAST AND PRAY AND REPENT THEY JOIN IN THE FASTING AND PRAYING FOR OTHERS.
MATTHEW 3:2 AND SAYING, "REPENT, FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND!"
ACTS 2:38 PETER REPLIED, "EACH OF YOU MUST TURN FROM YOUR SINS AND TURN TO GOD, AND BE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF YOUR SINS. THEN YOU WILL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
2 PETER 3:9 THE LORD IS NOT SLACK CONCERNING HIS PROMISE, AS SOME COUNT SLACKNESS, BUT IS LONGSUFFERING TOWARD US, NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH BUT THAT ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE.
THE APPLICATION IS FOR THE SAINTS TO FAST AND PRAY, APPEAL TO GOD, BECAUSE WE KNOW THE CHARACTER OF GOD. “FOR HE IS GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL, SLOW TO ANGER, AND OF GREAT KINDNESS.”
ILL: GOD WILL TAKE NINE STEPS TOWARD US, BUT HE WILL NOT TAKE THE TENTH. HE WILL INCLINE US TO REPENT, BUT HE CANNOT DO OUR REPENTING FOR US.
ILL: LLOYD H. STEFFEN WROTE IN THE CHRISTIAN CENTURY HOW WHEN KING FREDERICK II, AN EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY KING OF PRUSSIA, WAS VISITING A PRISON IN BERLIN, THE INMATES TRIED TO PROVE TO HIM HOW THEY HAD BEEN UNJUSTLY IMPRISONED. ALL EXCEPT ONE.
THAT ONE SAT QUIETLY IN A CORNER, WHILE ALL THE REST PROTESTED THEIR INNOCENCE. SEEING HIM SITTING THERE OBLIVIOUS TO THE COMMOTION, THE KING ASKED HIM WHAT HE WAS THERE FOR. "ARMED ROBBERY, YOUR HONOR." THE KING ASKED, "WERE YOU GUILTY?" "YES, SIR," HE ANSWERED. "I ENTIRELY DESERVE MY PUNISHMENT." THE KING THEN GAVE AN ORDER TO THE GUARD: "RELEASE THIS GUILTY MAN. I DON'T WANT HIM CORRUPTING ALL THESE INNOCENT PEOPLE."
MPII REVERENCE OF THE PEOPLE V. 15-18
15 BLOW THE TRUMPET IN ZION, CONSECRATE A FAST, CALL A SACRED ASSEMBLY; 16 GATHER THE PEOPLE, SANCTIFY THE CONGREGATION, ASSEMBLE THE ELDERS, GATHER THE CHILDREN AND NURSING BABES; LET THE BRIDEGROOM GO OUT FROM HIS CHAMBER, AND THE BRIDE FROM HER DRESSING ROOM. 17 LET THE PRIESTS, WHO MINISTER TO THE LORD, WEEP BETWEEN THE PORCH AND THE ALTAR; LET THEM SAY, "SPARE YOUR PEOPLE, O LORD, AND DO NOT GIVE YOUR HERITAGE TO REPROACH, THAT THE NATIONS SHOULD RULE OVER THEM. WHY SHOULD THEY SAY AMONG THE PEOPLES, 'WHERE IS THEIR GOD?' " 18 THEN THE LORD WILL BE ZEALOUS FOR HIS LAND, AND PITY HIS PEOPLE.
CONSECRATE – SANCTIFY – BE HOLY BECAUSE GOD IS HOLY AND SET APART.
CALL – CALL THE PEOPLE BECAUSE GOD HAS CALL US TO HIMSELF VIA COVENANT. GOD PROMISES TO DELIVER HIS PEOPLE ONCE THEY HAVE REPENTED.
CONGREGATE - GATHER – ROOT MEANING IS THAT OF HARVEST......WHEN THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF REPENTANCE GOES THROUGH THE CONGREGATION / CHURCH...WE DECLARE A DAY OF REPENTANCE, A DAY OF FASTING; A DAY WHEN EVERYONE COMES TOGETHER....ELDERS, MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN, EVEN THE NEWLYWEDS. FOR A TIME OF PRAYER, INTERCESSION AND SUPPLICATION....WHERE WE CRY OUT UNTO THE LORD...HAVE MERCY ON YOUR PEOPLE. DON’T LEAVE US TO THE ENEMY. DON’T LEAVE US TO THE AGENTS OF SATAN, DON’T ALLOW YOUR NAME TO BE SMEARED.
CLERGY – CRY OUT BETWEEN THE ALTAR AND THE SANCTUARY...ON THE DAY OF ATONEMENT.
IMP. JUST LIKE PRIDE GET’S GOD’S ATTENTION, UNITY AND HUMILITY OF THE PEOPLE GET GOD’S ATTENTION TOO. AND IT’S NOT JUST A FEW PEOPLE, A FEW MEN AND WOMEN, BOYS AND GIRLS...BUT THE ENTIRE CONGREGATION. RESTORATION LEADS TO REVERENCE WHICH LEADS TO REVIVAL. REVIVAL DOESN’T COST A RED CENT..BUT A RENT HEART. AND THE PRIEST WHO STAND BETWEEN THE ALTAR AND SANCTUARY...”ARE STANDING IN THE GAP” WE REVERENCE GOD BECAUSE HE REACHED BACK AND GRABBED US.........
PSALMIST SAID – HOW GOOD AND PLEASANT IT IS WHEN BRETHREN DWELL TOGETHER IN UNITY
JEHOSHAPHAT – EVEN WHEN THERE WAS TROUBLE...THE PEO. CAME TOGETHER...IN PRAYER...AND NEITHER KNOW WE WHAT TO DO BUT OUR EYES ARE ON THEE.
NEHEMIAH – THE PEOPLE HAD A MIND TO WORK.
JONAH – THE PEOPLE REPENTED AND PUT ON SACKCLOTH AND ASHES
JESUS – AS HE LOOKED OVER JERUSALEM...HE WEPT OVER THE CITY OF PEACE.
PS. 30:5 WEEPING MAY ENDURE FOR A NIGHT BUT JOY COMES IN THE MORNING.
APPL: INTERCESSORY PRAYER - POWERFUL INTERCESSORY PRAYER WILL RESULT IN WEEPING......REVERENCE IS LINKED TO REVIVAL; REVIVAL IS LINKED TO PRAYER; PRAYER IS LINKED TO POWER.
ILL: AND WE WEEP....IN PRAYER...
WE’RE A BROKEN NATION
WE’VE MORE BROKEN HOMES AND MARRIAGES
WE’VE MORE BROKEN HEARTS IN THOSE BROKEN HOMES
WE’VE GOT BROKEN KIDS
WE’VE GOT BENT MINDS BROKEN OVER DRUGS
WE’VE GOT BROKEN BODIES....
WE’VE GOT A BROKEN GOV’T....AND IN WEEPING WE WEEP CHRIST.
ILL: RECYCLE TRAGEDY - AN ARTIST WENT TO VISIT A DEAR FRIEND. WHEN HE ARRIVED, SHE WAS WEEPING. HE ASKED WHY. SHE SHOWED HIM A HANDKERCHIEF OF EXQUISITE BEAUTY THAT HAD GREAT SENTIMENTAL VALUE, WHICH HAD BEEN RUINED BY A DROP OF INDELIBLE INK.
THE ARTIST ASKED HER TO LET HIM HAVE THE HANDKERCHIEF, WHICH HE RETURNED TO HER BY MAIL SEVERAL DAYS LATER. WHEN SHE OPENED THE PACKAGE SHE COULD HARDLY BELIEVE HER EYES. THE ARTIST, USING THE INKBLOT AS A BASE, HAD DRAWN ON THE HANDKERCHIEF A DESIGN OF GREAT BEAUTY WITH INDIA INK. NOW IT WAS MORE BEAUTIFUL AND MORE VALUABLE THAN EVER.
SOMETIMES THE TRAGEDIES THAT BREAK OUR HEARTS CAN BECOME THE BASIS FOR A MORE BEAUTIFUL DESIGN IN OUR LIVES. BE PATIENT WITH THE HURTS OVER WHICH YOU HAVE NO CONTROL. THEY MAY BECOME A SOURCE OF HEALING, HELP, AND BEAUTY.
THOMAS LANE BUTTS
--JAMES S. HEWETT, ILLUSTRATIONS UNLIMITED (WHEATON: TYNDALE HOUSE PUBLISHERS, INC, 1988) PP. 16-17.
MP.III REJOICING OF THE PEOPLE V. 19-27
GOD PROMISES TO DELIVER HIS PEOPLE ONCE THEY HAVE REPENTED. A REVERENT RESPONSE LEAD GOD TO MOVE INTO ACTION. HE WILL GET HIS LAND BACK...HE WILL GATHER HIS PEOPLE BACK. GOD’S PROMISES INCL. PROVISION....THE LORD PROMISES SEND THE RAINS AS WELL AS SEND CORN, WINE AND OIL AS A GIFT. ALONG WITH HIS ASSURANCE COMES HIS ABUNDANCE. THUS WE HAVE..
FEAR NOT, O LAND – SYM. THE PLACE OF HARVEST AND THE SOULS OF THE PEOPLE.
FORMER OR EARLY RAIN. (..THE LATTER RAIN (MARCH APRIL) – MODERATELY...HERE ..RAIN MEANS EARLY...ALSO MEANS TEACHER...RAIN ALSO MEANS LAW....MODERATELY.....MEANS JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUS...STRAIGHT... ETHICAL PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND RIGHT AND WRONG IN THE CONTEXT OF HOLINESS.
FRUIT OF THE LAND – CORN, WINE AND OIL....CORN OF WHEAT – WORSHIP AND SACRIFICE, SPEAKS OF AN OFFERING...AND BLESSINGS. YES, GOD’S BOUNTY AND PROVISION. WINE SPEAKS OF JOY AND MIRTH – THE CUP OF BLESSINGS...JOY CELEBRATION AND FESTIVITY.....AND THE BEST IS YET TO COME ..JN 4 AND THE WEDDING AT CANA.. THEN THE OIL - USED FOR FOOD, COSMETICS, FULE AND MEDICINE. USED IN WORSHIP....SACRIFICES AND THE ANOINTING...AND THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
IMP. THE FASTING WILL COME TO AN END.. TROUBLE DON’T LAST ALWAYS...AND WHEN IT ENDS.....GOD GIVES THE CORN, WINE GOAND OIL – SYM. COVENANTAL BLESSING PROMISED BY GOD FOR OBEDIENCE. OBEDIENCE IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE...BUT OBEDIENCE LEADS TO A GOOD SACRIFICE. BLESSINGS OF THE BUMPER CROP. WHEN GOD MOVES TO SAVE HIS PEOPLE, FOR HIS OWN NAME SAKE, HIS PEOPLE WILL NO LONGER BE A REPROACH, OR THOUGHT OF WITH SHAME.
IMP. GOD WILL GIVE US A TEACHER (THE AGRICULTURE IMAGERY – POINTS TO SPIRITUAL IMAGERY) TO TRAIN US IN HOW TO LIVE RIGHT; TEACHING OF GOD’S WORD...WILL BE LIKE THE RAIN FROM HEAVEN...SHOWERS OF GOD’S WORD..THAT WILL REFRESH, AND NOURISH MY SOUL SO I CAN GIVE HIM PRAISE. ...AND GOD HAS PLENTY OF FOOD FOR THE BODY...TO BLESS US.
DEUT: 28:1-10 DEUTERONOMY 28:1-9 DEUTERONOMY 28:1 "NOW IT SHALL COME TO PASS, IF YOU DILIGENTLY OBEY THE VOICE OF THE LORD YOUR GOD, TO OBSERVE CAREFULLY ALL HIS COMMANDMENTS WHICH I COMMAND YOU TODAY, THAT THE LORD YOUR GOD WILL SET YOU HIGH ABOVE ALL NATIONS OF THE EARTH. 2 "AND ALL THESE BLESSINGS SHALL COME UPON YOU AND OVERTAKE YOU, BECAUSE YOU OBEY THE VOICE OF THE LORD YOUR GOD: 3 "BLESSED SHALL YOU BE IN THE CITY, AND BLESSED SHALL YOU BE IN THE COUNTRY. 4 "BLESSED SHALL BE THE FRUIT OF YOUR BODY, THE PRODUCE OF YOUR GROUND AND THE INCREASE OF YOUR HERDS, THE INCREASE OF YOUR CATTLE AND THE OFFSPRING OF YOUR FLOCKS. 5 "BLESSED SHALL BE YOUR BASKET AND YOUR KNEADING BOWL. 6 "BLESSED SHALL YOU BE WHEN YOU COME IN, AND BLESSED SHALL YOU BE WHEN YOU GO OUT. 7 " THE LORD WILL CAUSE YOUR ENEMIES WHO RISE AGAINST YOU TO BE DEFEATED BEFORE YOUR FACE; THEY SHALL COME OUT AGAINST YOU ONE WAY AND FLEE BEFORE YOU SEVEN WAYS. 8 "THE LORD WILL COMMAND THE BLESSING ON YOU IN YOUR STOREHOUSES AND IN ALL TO WHICH YOU SET YOUR HAND, AND HE WILL BLESS YOU IN THE LAND WHICH THE LORD YOUR GOD IS GIVING YOU. 9 "THE LORD WILL ESTABLISH YOU AS A HOLY PEOPLE TO HIMSELF, JUST AS HE HAS SWORN TO YOU, IF YOU KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD YOUR GOD AND WALK IN HIS WAYS.
HOS. 10:12 - HOSEA 10:12 12 SOW FOR YOURSELVES RIGHTEOUSNESS; REAP IN MERCY; BREAK UP YOUR FALLOW GROUND, FOR IT IS TIME TO SEEK THE LORD, TILL HE COMES AND RAINS RIGHTEOUSNESS ON YOU.
APP: STAY IN THE WORD OF GOD IN THE GOOD TIMES AND IN THE BAD TIMES.
CLOSE: YES,
WE REJOICE BECAUSE GOD HAS A WAY OF RESTORING ..BE IN A COVENANT OF PEACE...SHALOM.......THE YEARS THE LOCUST HAVE EATEN. GOD HAS A WAY OF MAKING UP FOR THE YEARS LOST BY DEVASTATION....
LOCUST...HAVE A DARKSIDE....YES, DEVASTATION...THEY WILL EAT UP EVERYTHING. THEY ARE SIGNS OF TERROR AND DESTRUCTION. REMEMBER MOSES AND THE DIVINE PLAGUES ON EGYPT...LOCUST SYM. CURSES FOR DISOBEDIENCE. LOCUST SYM. MIGHTY ARMY...
.JOEL GIVES US THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LOCUST ...
CHEWING, CANKERWORM – YOUNG LOCUST – LARVAL STAGE
CRAWLING, -CATERPILLER....UNWINGED LOCUST
CONSUMING,AND SWARMING,...- PALMERWORM – PROCESSIONAL PILGRIM LIKE LOCUST
THEY ARE A TOUR DE FORCE...THAT APPROACHES LIKE A BLACK CLOUD, AND KILLS ALL. DOOM AND DEVASTATION. AND WHAT DO LOCUST SPECIALIZE IN ...THEY “CUT YOU OFF”....EVER FELT LIKE YOU’VE BEEN CUT OFF....
IMP. GOD HAS AWAY OF MAKING US FORGET THE FORMER PAIN... HE HAS A WAY OF REPAYING US FOR THE PAIN AND SUFFERING. GOD SENDS THE DEVASTATION BUT HE ALSO SENDS THE DELIGHT; HE SENDS DIVINE JUSTICE BUT HE ALSO SENDS THE JUBILEE; HE SENDS THE WRATH BUT ALSO SENDS THE WONDER.
JOB SONG - JOB 42:12-17 12 NOW THE LORD BLESSED THE LATTER DAYS OF JOB MORE THAN HIS BEGINNING; FOR HE HAD FOURTEEN THOUSAND SHEEP, SIX THOUSAND CAMELS, ONE THOUSAND YOKE OF OXEN, AND ONE THOUSAND FEMALE DONKEYS. 13 HE ALSO HAD SEVEN SONS AND THREE DAUGHTERS. 14 AND HE CALLED THE NAME OF THE FIRST JEMIMAH, THE NAME OF THE SECOND KEZIAH, AND THE NAME OF THE THIRD KEREN-HAPPUCH. 15 IN ALL THE LAND WERE FOUND NO WOMEN SO BEAUTIFUL AS THE DAUGHTERS OF JOB; AND THEIR FATHER GAVE THEM AN INHERITANCE AMONG THEIR BROTHERS. 16 AFTER THIS JOB LIVED ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY YEARS, AND SAW HIS CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN FOR FOUR GENERATIONS. 17 SO JOB DIED, OLD AND FULL OF DAYS.
JOSEPH SONS.- GENESIS 41:45-54 45 AND PHARAOH CALLED JOSEPH'S NAME ZAPHNATH-PAANEAH. AND HE GAVE HIM AS A WIFE ASENATH, THE DAUGHTER OF POTI-PHERAH PRIEST OF ON. SO JOSEPH WENT OUT OVER ALL THE LAND OF EGYPT. 46 JOSEPH WAS THIRTY YEARS OLD WHEN HE STOOD BEFORE PHARAOH KING OF EGYPT. AND JOSEPH WENT OUT FROM THE PRESENCE OF PHARAOH, AND WENT THROUGHOUT ALL THE LAND OF EGYPT. 47 NOW IN THE SEVEN PLENTIFUL YEARS THE GROUND BROUGHT FORTH ABUNDANTLY. 48 SO HE GATHERED UP ALL THE FOOD OF THE SEVEN YEARS WHICH WERE IN THE LAND OF EGYPT, AND LAID UP THE FOOD IN THE CITIES; HE LAID UP IN EVERY CITY THE FOOD OF THE FIELDS WHICH SURROUNDED THEM. 49 JOSEPH GATHERED VERY MUCH GRAIN, AS THE SAND OF THE SEA, UNTIL HE STOPPED COUNTING, FOR IT WAS IMMEASURABLE. 50 AND TO JOSEPH WERE BORN TWO SONS BEFORE THE YEARS OF FAMINE CAME, WHOM ASENATH, THE DAUGHTER OF POTI-PHERAH PRIEST OF ON, BORE TO HIM. 51 JOSEPH CALLED THE NAME OF THE FIRSTBORN MANASSEH: "FOR GOD HAS MADE ME FORGET ALL MY TOIL AND ALL MY FATHER'S HOUSE." 52 AND THE NAME OF THE SECOND HE CALLED EPHRAIM: "FOR GOD HAS CAUSED ME TO BE FRUITFUL IN THE LAND OF MY AFFLICTION." 53 THEN THE SEVEN YEARS OF PLENTY WHICH WERE IN THE LAND OF EGYPT ENDED, 54 AND THE SEVEN YEARS OF FAMINE BEGAN TO COME, AS JOSEPH HAD SAID. THE FAMINE WAS IN ALL LANDS, BUT IN ALL THE LAND OF EGYPT THERE WAS BREAD.
THE SUFFERING OF THIS LIFE ARE NOT WORTHY TO BE COMPARED WITH THE GLORY THAT SHALL BE REVEALED IN US..
APP: HAVE YOU BEEN DISAPPOINTED IN LIFE...THINGS NOT GONE YOUR WAY; LEFT HOLDING THE BAG; BEEN THE BRUNT OF CRUELTY.... DON’T DESPAIR....
AFTER EVERYTHING IS GONE...ONCE THE LOCUST ARE DEAD AND GONE...GOD SAYS HE WILL RESTORE IN ABUNDANCE....AFTER THE LOCUST HAVE SWARMED AND SETTLED ON THE CROPS, AFTR THEY HAVE BLOCKED OUT THE SUN AN DSESTROYED EVERYTHING IN SIGHT....WEHN ALL IS EATEN AND THER DEPISITED EGGS ARE DEPOSITED IN THE GROUND...THEY DIED BY THE MILLIONS.
IN THE LOCUST YEARS...AL IS LOST......BUT THEN THERE IS THE ABUNDANCE....HOW CAN WE SAY THE LORD WILL RESTORE THE YEARS THE LOCUST HAVE EATEN? HOW CAN WE BE SURE OF AN FUTURE ABUNDANT CROP? THE MOST ABUNDANT CROP CAME AFTER THE LAND HAS BEEN FERTILIZED BY THE DEAD BODIES OF LAST YEARS LOCUST.
WE’VE ALL HAD BAD YEARS WHEN THE LOCUST CAME...
THEY CAME AND DESTROYED ALL...
WITH THEM CAME LOSS, PAIN, DESPAIR...
MAYBE IT WAS THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE
LOSS OF A JOB,
LOSS IN A MARRIAGE
LOSS DUE TO DIVORCE
LOSS DUE TO AN ACCIDENT
LOSS BECAUSE YOU WERE SUED
HEART TROUBLE, STOKE OR CANCER..
ALMOST LOST YOUR MIND
LOST IT ALL.......
BUT LEARNED A LOT...
THE LOCUST YEARS... INFLUENCE US...TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT NO SCHOOL COULD EVER TEACH US...
I WALKED A MILE WITH PLEASURE
AND SHE CHATTED ALONG THE WAY
BUT LEFT ME NONE THE WISER
FOR AL SHE HAD TO SAY
THEN I WALKED A MILE WITH SORROW
AND NER’VER A WORD SHE SAID
BUT OH THE THINGS SHE TAUGHT ME
WHEN SORROW WALKED WITH ME
WE FAST FOR THOSE WHO ARE FAR AWAY
WE WERE ONCE FAR AWAY, BUT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT NIGH...
PROP: WE REJOICE BECAUSE GOD HAS A WAY OF TAKING US FROM
THE PLIGHT OF THE PLAGUE TO THE LAND OF PLENTY.
END PROP: IN THAT LATTER DAY....GOD WILL RESTORE AND BLESS OUR BODY AND SOUL